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June 18, 2004

SmartCall challenges PNCC

A new company calling itself SmartCall has taken on PNCC with introduction of long distance rates that are much lower than PNCC's 99 cents long distance rate. The company formed on February of this year by a group of Palauans Henry Saiske, Priscilla Soalablai, Silas Orrukem, Jordan Malsol, and Anatanio Kikuo. They recently forged a deal with Phillipines cellular phone service giant Smart Communications Inc. to provide satellite phone services for SIM cards as well as prepaid call cards at good prices.

Henry Saiske the comapany president says, "we want to give some choices to the customers and be part of the Palau economy".

It is reported that despite SmartCall threat to dominate the long distance market by their cheaper rates PNCC instead won't engage in a price war but to challenge the legality of the new company to operate long distance phone service on the islands. PNCC is steadfast in their believe that they are the only entity authorized by law and regulation to provide long distance telephone service in Palau.